HOSEA (Week 2) DAY 1: CHAPTER 9 Read Chapter 9, doing the following: Hosea gives a clear warning to Israel of upcoming doom, even naming that the Assyrians will be the ones to take them over and place them in exile. Though a reference to Egyptian captivity should be enough to wake up the people, Hosea is considered a fool (9:7) and his warnings fall on deaf ears. Take care when reading this chapter to notice who is speaking, as there are frequent changes between Hosea and the Lord s voice. Mark the words harlot, sin, and iniquity. Mark references to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Note what results of exile will take place in verses 9:3-6 Verse 9:17 says, My God will reject them because they have not obeyed him; they will be wanderers among the nations. What is your reaction to this verse? Is God just in doing this? How does this align with your understanding of God s mercy? Israel had tried to be like other nations by seeking wealth and good harvests by the same means that the nations employed, the fertility cult. Because their [Israel] harvest has failed, they cannot rejoice, and their harvest has failed because of their prostitution against God. Hosea, like Joel, regarded famine to be a precursor for military defeat and exile. Rejected from Yahweh s land, the people will eat unclean food. Because they have defiled themselves, they will be unfit for residence in the holy land and will instead eat defiled food in a foreign land. - - New American Commentary: Hosea All their evil is at Gilgal; indeed I came to hate them there! (Hos. 9:15) Important for the nation of Israel militarily and religiously, it was the first campsite after crossing the Jordan River where Hebrew males born in the wilderness were circumcised, the Passover was celebrated, and was staging grounds for the conquest of Jericho and further attack of five Amorite kings. Saul became king and was later rejected by God. In essence, Gilgal represents God s deliverance from Egypt and future in the Promised Land, yet also the declining loyalty of the people toward God and His role as their divine King and Lord. What was once a city of God s favor had become a place of idolatry and rejection of God. We know that prophets had a tough time when it came to dealing with the people around them. Rejection of a prophet s words was commonplace, as was their consideration of the prophet as insane and irritating. But I marvel at Hosea s response to his accusers: Because of the grossness of your iniquity, and because your hostility is so great. (Hos. 9:7b) Is it possible that Hosea was telling the people, Me? Insane? If so, it s your sin and hostility that have driven me to that point! Some other key Bible characters have been considered not right in the head. Jesus was accused of losing His mind (Mark 3:20); Paul was considered mad (Acts 26:24) and even says of himself that he s speaking insanely (2 Cor. 11:23). We re called to be fools! To speak truths of God s Kingdom is to speak against everything that seems natural because it isn t natural! The world moves in one direction, but God calls us to move in an opposite direction. The first shall be last, a child shall lead, etc. What insane thing will you see or do today to proclaim God and His truths?
DAY TWO: CHAPTER 10 Ah, idols nothing good comes from them. But when in the midst of idol worship, one rarely recognizes the danger and a false humility exhibits in the form of religious action. Israel had reached a point where they religiously worshiped their false gods, but also outwardly recognized the Lord. This led to a bunch of religious individuals without any regard for the One True God. You may find some striking similarities of Israel s culture to your own. All over the world there is idolatry! It may not take the form of a golden calf, but it is giving regard and honor to someone/something other than God the Father. As you read Chapter 10, please do the following: Mark with a distinctive color or shape the words harlotry/idolatrous, iniquity, and sin. Include any synonyms. Mark any references, foreshadowing, or works of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Write down what various forms of idolatry you see in the chapter. (i.e. wealth, calf, etc.) It seems that in verses 10:11-12 the Lord is describing what Israel should have been doing. What are those things? In verse 10:13 is a description of how Israel actually acted. Write your observations. Idolatry is sometimes so subtle and deceptive. I grew up in a culture that prides itself on independence. Wow! I think I just named two idols in that last sentence: pride and independence. Neither are glorifying to God. I became proud of how independent I could be, not needing anyone else in my life and at times even letting God know that I had everything under control. My worship of independence led to living a prayerless life - - because to truly pray means to be dependent on God and not on myself. I believe prayerlessness is a problem for most of us. We may spend time in prayer, but do we really pray out of a dependence on God? Do we stay in prayer until God has answered? Or do we go through the motions and then carry on in a false confidence that God is backing us up? Let the Lord examine your heart today. Is there a form of idolatry in your life? Repent and seek His forgiveness. Then scrap your prayer list and pray from a point of dependence, allowing Him to guide what you pray for today.
DAY 3: CHAPTER 11 and/or spiritual. Amidst harsh prophetic words of impending judgment, we see a beautiful picture of God s heart toward Israel. This is a great reminder that all prophecy should demonstrate the FULL character of God both his wrath and mercy, judgment and grace, disgust and love. Anything less is judgmental or watered down truth. Both are dangerous! I believe you will be greatly encouraged as you read today s passage, especially after the amount of judgment we ve been reading! There s a lot we can learn in this passage about our Heavenly Father, but also how to be good, Godly parents physical As you read Chapter 11, please do the following: Distinctively mark the words I will not. As a helpful hint, I used the same marking for the words I will as before, but then did a! over the word not. List the I will not statements. Note the contrast of an I will statement in verse 11:11. What will the Lord do? Mark any references, foreshadowing, or works of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. What does this passage teach you about the Lord? The Dove Called Israel In 7:11-12, Israel is referred to as a silly dove, without sense, where the Lord gathers them with a net and sends them off to Assyria for discipline. In 11:11, Israel is again referred to as a dove, only this time coming out of Assyria to be settled into their future home by the Lord. How does this passage apply to parenthood whether biological or spiritual parenting? For me, verse 11:4 is one of the most beautiful word pictures of the chapter. I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I bent down and fed them. (NASB) What I find so beautiful is that Israel (Ephraim) is earlier referred to as a heifer, and cords for a heifer are meant for taming or breaking a wild animal. But cords of a man are tender guides for young children, as a man draws his fellowman without compelling him to go with resistance. (Pulpit Commentary) Furthermore, the reference of the lifting yoke reflects the compassionate farmer who raises the yoke so the ox may freely eat, or pressing against the yoke to lighten the burden during heavy work. Applied to Israel, the fact thus figuratively expressed is, not the deliverance from bondage from Egypt, but the loving- kindness of Jehovah in lightening the fulfillment of the Law to Israel. (Pulpit Commentary) How beautiful!! Even during burdensome times of judgment, the Lord is leading us through with gentle cords and present in mercy to lift the yoke so that we are not destroyed beneath its weight. Bless the Lord, oh my soul!!
DAY 4: CHAPTER 12 Often in prophecy there is a cycle of indictment, judgment, and hope. We are headed back into the cycle again of indictment, where the Lord lays out once again Israel s shortcomings all with the desire to lead them back to Him. Jacob, Israel & Ephraim Hosea uses Jacob and Israel throughout this chapter, which could lead to the confusion of them being two different people. In Genesis 35:10 it says, God said to him, Your name is Jacob; you shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name. The Israelites were descendants of Jacob, the famous patriarch. Therefore, Hosea uses Jacob, Israel, and Ephraim to represent the same thing the northern kingdom. As you read Chapter 12, please do the following: Mark any references, foreshadowing, or works of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Mark and list the accusations against Ephraim (Israel). In verse 12:4 there is a comparison of Israel of old (Jacob). How does this compare with current Israel? Jacob As a Role Model Jacob, the one who used deception to gain the birthright from Esau, wrestled with God, and showed favoritism to his son Joseph (coat of many colors) hardly seems like a quality role model for a nation caught in spiritual adultery. Yet Hosea does that very thing. Jacob s conduct is not held up before the people for a warning, as marked by cunning or deceit, but is set before them for their imitation, as an eager attempt to secure the birthright and the blessing connected with it. [Hosea s 12:4 explanation] he wept, and made supplication to Him gives the nature of the conflict. It was a contest with the weapons of prayer; and with these he conquered. These weapons are also at the command of the Israelites, if they will only use them. The fruit of the victory was, that he (Jacob) found Him (God) at Bethel. - - Keil, Deitrich Commentary on the Old Testament Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. - - Revelation 2:4-6 The sins of Israel have been laid out. They are guilty. And God is ready to judge them for their wayward lives. Yet it seems that the frequency of God s call to return to your God increases. Is it possible that as the time draws closer for final judgment, we too hear God s plea return to your God with greater intensity and frequency? The Revelation passage above resonated in my mind as I read Hosea chapter 12. A comparison of old life passions to current life distractions. Hosea did the same by recalling Jacob s legacy in stark contrast to the current ways of Israel. As God called Israel to consider pursuing its former ways, so He calls us today to do the same. Lord, show me how I no longer do the things I used to do when I first came to know You. Forgive me for my waywardness and help me to follow You with that passion once again. I need You and Your Spirit s strength! Amen.
DAY 5: CHAPTER 13 Just as a courtroom trial has closing arguments, so the prosecuting team of God and Hosea offer their closing statement to convince Israel of its guilt. But God, being also the Judge, again informs Israel of its upcoming sentence for its adulterous ways. Read Chapter 13, doing the following: Mark the words sin, iniquity, and I will. Mark references to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. List the wrongs of Israel featured in this chapter. List the I will statements of God. A Well Known Phrase Did you notice a familiar phrase in this chapter? I m sure you read Hosea 13:14, marked it as a reference to Jesus and recognized the verbiage. But did you know that it was Hosea that Paul was quoting in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57? Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Though we re not completely done with the book of Hosea, I want to take a few minutes to identify and process things God has taught you through this book. What verses spoke to your heart and why? How does Hosea apply to our culture today? How then are we to respond as God s people?
DAY 6: CHAPTER 14 Congratulations! You re about to complete the book of Hosea! The ending of this book contains Hosea s final plea to the people, along with God s promise of restoration. The beginning of this chapter provides a terrific example of how to repent before the Lord, a great template for leading others to the Lord. As you read Chapters 14, please do the following: Mark the words return and I will. Mark all references, foreshadowing, and/or works of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. List the I will statements of God. List the results of repentance (Hosea 14:4-9) Making A Point With Symbols Hosea uses examples from nature to symbolize how God will restore His people. Taking Hosea s example of how to approach the Lord in repentance, write out a sinner s prayer that could be used to lead someone to Christ. Use another sheet of paper, or the back, if necessary. Dew = Refreshing Lily = Fruitfulness Cedars of Lebanon = Stability Olive Tree = Beauty In preparation for tomorrow s reflection time and/or discussion, take a few minutes to pull together your thoughts on the following things: Wine of Lebanon = Fragrant Cypress = Place of Shade Key Word What word or short phrase sums up the book of Hosea for you? Key Verse What verse or short passage sums up the book? Jesus & the Holy Spirit List a few examples of how Jesus and the Holy Spirit were represented in the book of Hosea. What does this book teach us about God s judgment? What does this book teach us about repentance?
DAY 7: REFLECTION AND GROUP DISCUSSION If you re part of a group, then the questions below will help you further prepare for your discussion time. For those who are not part of a group, take opportunity to evaluate what you ve learned and spend time in prayer with the Lord. How does this book apply to your own life? In what ways were you convicted of sin, encouraged, etc.? How does the book of Hosea apply to our culture today? What similarities and differences are there? How do we as Christians respond to our culture in light of what this book teaches us? What does this book teach us about God s love and judgment? If you had to sum the book up in one word or short phrase, what would it be? What is a key verse either summarizing the book, or stood out to you personally? Why did you choose this verse? How were Jesus and the Holy Spirit reflected in the book? Give specific examples.